Golden Screen Cinemas, which has convenient outlets in Pavilion KL and Berjaya Times Square, does at least try to put on the occasional arthouse movie, and gives admirable support to the French Film Festival every year. TGV, the other main chain, has a massive multiplex in Suria KLCC, but fills all 12 of its screens with the most mainstream of offerings.

Talking, answering phones, loud eating and glacial air-con are all part of the cinema experience in KL. On the upside, ticket prices are reasonable, and movies are almost always shown in their original language. That means English movies without awful dubbing, and other languages, with English subtitles. Cinema Online (http://www.cinema.com.my) is a good resource for movie times.